CAB Member Emeritus

Senator Pat Carney

Senator Pat Carney

Senator Pat Carney was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia in 1988, and has turned her personal experience into advocating on behalf of those living with arthritis and a strong belief in research as the key to "a world without arthritis."

Born in Shanghai, China, and educated in Canada, Senator Carney had a career in journalism and economic consulting before entering politics. She was first elected to the House of Commons in February 1980 as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Vancouver Centre. She also served as federal Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources; Minister of International Trade; and President of the Treasury Board.

Shortly after the pain of living with arthritis forced Senator Carney to retire from active politics, she was invited on to the board of directors of The Arthritis Society, BC and Yukon Division. She served for six years and, in 1998, was presented with an honourary membership in the society. Senator Carney helped establish the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada in 2000, and serves on its board as a founding member and the board's liaison with the Consumer Advisory Board. In 2003, she was appointed to the board of the Canadian Arthritis Network, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering integrated, trans-disciplinary research and development.

Jay Fiddler

Jay Fiddler was diagnosed with Stills Disease in December 2001 and brings the “newly diagnosed” perspective to her work with the Consumer Advisory Board. She is also the BC representative of the Consumer Advisory Council of the Canadian Arthritis Network. In this role she is responsible for representing and articulating the needs of British Columbians living with all forms of arthritis, in addition to serving as a voting member on the Network’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee and Training and Education Committee.

Currently, she is a PhD student at University of British Columbia and holds a research fellowship with the Canadian Blood Service. Jay is also a co-investigator on a two-year grant funded jointly through the CIHR, CBS and Bayer to study the social determinants of blood donor participation in British Columbia. Prior to this she spent four years working as a Research Consultant and Health-Care Trainer for AIDS Vancouver and AIDS Calgary Awareness Association. This work afforded her the skills to interpret medical research and the ability to effectively interface with community agencies to build research and educational partnerships.

Céline Pitre

I look forward to sharing my experience with the Consumer Advisory Board, both as a team member as well as the Vice Chair of the ARC Board of Directors.

As an interior designer diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in 2003 I know, first hand, the challenges that we all face. I also know that I can lend unique insights and creative solutions that will improve the way arthritis sufferers live, work and play.

As a business entrepreneur for over 30 years in the Interior Design industry I can bring both right and left-brain thoughtfulness to this advisory board.

I’m tenacious when it comes to solutions. No is not a popular word in my bi-lingual vocabulary. I will work hard to lobby my peers and bend the ear of design and architecture professionals about the challenges arthritis sufferers, both young and old, face today.

I know what it’s like to live with this debilitating disease and I’m convinced that together we can improve our prognosis and care for the future and our living and working environment right now.